Stereological analysis of cryptorchid testicles in young males

Podaci o građi i broju Leydigovih stanica kod kriptorhičnih testisa mlađih muškaraca vrlo su rijetki. Do sada nije istraženo da li se mijenja broj Leydigovih stanica: a) uz sjemenske kanaliće i b) u preostalom intersticiju testisa uz krvne žile kao i eventualne promjene dužine krvnih žila intersticija. Istraživanje je obuhvatilo stereološku analizu biopsija kriptorhičnih testisa desetorice mladih muškaraca (u dobi od 18 do 27 god.). Kao kontrola poslužili su uzorci tkiva testisa dvojice muškaraca (starih 28 i 29 god.) dobiveni obdukcijom nakon prometne nesreće. Histološki rezovi testisa bojani su hemalaun - eozinom i po Massonu. Dobiveni rezultati istraživanja pokazuju značajno smanjenje (P<0.01) broja Leydigovih stanica pacijenata uz sjemenske kanaliće, dok je broj ovih stanica u preostalom intersticiju uz krvne žile bio značajno povećan (P<0.01) u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu. Također i broj Reinkeovih kristala u citoplazmi Leydigovih stanica, bez obzira na smještaj, kod kriptorhičnih pacijenata bio je značajno povećan u odnosu na kontrolu (P<0,01). Konačna dužina krvnih žila intersticija kriptorhičnih testisa bila je također povećana u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu. Promjene u broju Leydigovih stanica koje se nalaze uz sjemenske kanaliće i u preostalom intersticiju vjerojatno su posljedica oštećenja testisa nastalog zbog neadekvatnog položaja testisa. Izrazito povećanje broja Reinkeovih kristala u Leydigovim stanicama kriptorhičnih testisa bez obzira na njihov smještaj u intersticiju vjerojatno je posljedica poremećene funkcije i metabolizma ovih stanica.Information about structure and number of Leydig cells in cryptorchid testicles of younger men are very rare. Until now, it hasn't been examined if the number of Leydig's cells changes: a) along seminiferous tubules and b) in the remaining part of the testicles interstitium beside blood vessels and possible changes in lenght of blood vessels in interstitium. The resarch included a stereological analysis of cryptorchid testicles biopsies of ten young men (aged 18 – 27). As controls, samples of biopsies od two patients (aged 28 and 29) who had a car acident, were used. Histological cuts of testicles were stained with hemalauneosin and by Masson. The results of this research show significant reduction (P<0.01) of patient's Ledig's cells along seminiferous tubules, while the number of cells in the remaining part of the interstitium beside blood vessels was significantly enlarged (P<0.01) by comparison with the control group. Also the number of Reinke's crystals in the cytoplasm of Ledig's cells, regardless of the location, with cryptorchid patients was significantly enlarged by comparison with the control (P<0,01). The ultimate lenght of blood vessles of interstitium in cryptorchid testicles was also enlarged in relation to the control group. Change in the number of Ledig's cells along seminiferous tubules and in the rest of the interstitium are probably the result of testicles damage which appeared because of inadequate placement od testicles. Extreme increase in number of Reinke's crystals in Ledig's cells of cryptorchid testicles regardles of their location in the interstitium is probably the result of disrupted function and metabolism of these cells

Energetski otoci - hibridni pučinski objekti

U radu je dat prikaz mogućnosti polifunkcionalnog pučinskog energetskog objekta. Najveće moguće održivo iskorištenje morskog resursa jedan je od odgovora na energetske izazove ali i ostale zahtjeve u nadolazećem vremenu tj. potreba povećanog broja stanovnika na planetu. Morska površina se danas koristi za proizvodnju energije, hrane, vezivanje brodova, skladištenje i dr. Zbog očuvanja obale i otoka, sve više nabrojenih djelatnosti se prebacuje iz pličina na veće dubine mora, odnosno na plutajuće usidrene objekte. Sve ove djelatnosti uglavnom se koriste odvojeno ali moguće je njihovo okupljanje na jednom mjestu. Tako se postiže bolje iskorištenje pomorskog resursa uz sniženje jedinične cijene i troškova. Predloženi koncept energetskog otoka daje visoki stupanje integracije navedenih djelatnosti, uz mogućnost proširenja na druge, pa i neke koji će tek doći u budućnosti. Energetski otok je hibridni pučinski objekt sastavljen od plutajuće off-shore vjetroelektrane tj. fotonaponske elektrane, privezišta, ribogojilišta, suhih dokova i sl. Ovi dijelovi su okruženi valobranima koji nisu samo pasivna zaštita od valova već i skladište energije u sustavu reverzibilne elektrane. Objekt je modularan i proširljiv, s mogućnošću jednostavne nadogradnje ili zamjene dijelova. Svi dijelovi mogu se proizvesti u Hrvatskoj i hrvatskim brodogradilištima

Using Probiotics in Intensive Care with Special Reference to Lactobacillus plantarum 299 and 299v

Probiotics are Live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host. The composition of the microflora in the gastrointestinal tract is rather constant in healthy subjects, but is easily disturbed by severe illness and the use of antibiotics. The intestinal barrier that separates the luminal contents, with a very high density of microorganisms, from an almost sterile milieu in the gut wall, is disrupted in critically illness. Probiotic bacteria have the ability to counteract those effects on the microflora and the gut wall. Lactobacillus plantarum 299 and 299v has been shown to adhere to the intestinal mucosa throughout the gastrointestinal tract in healthy volunteers. L pl 299v was given enterally to critically ill patients and it was verified from biopsies from the rectal mucosa that L pl 299v adheres and colonise also in critically ill patients on antibiotics. Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that causes diarrhoea and aggressive inflammation in colon and infections with C diff is the most common health care related disease and is almost always related to the use of antibiotics. Probiotics have been used to reduce recurrence of C diff associated disease, and none of critically ill patients given L pl 299v enterally became infected with C diff compared to 19 % in the control group. L pl 299v was also shown to improve the intestinal permeability. Ventilator Associated Pneumonia is caused by aspiration of infected secretions from the oropharynx. In intubated, mechanically ventilated critically ill patients the oropharyngeal microflora has been deranged and the risk of colonisation with enteric bacteria is high. Oral care procedures reduce the bacterial content in the oropharynx and the risk of developing VAP. L pl 299 was shown to be as effective as the standard oral care procedure using chlorhexidine, in reducing pathogenic. Susceptibility to antibiotics of probiotics is vital in case one of the seldom appearing infections should occur. Re-isolates of L pl 299v from two studies in intensive care patients on broadspectrum antibiotics were tested against 22 different antibiotics and no change of susceptibility of clinical significance was detected when compared to the original strain

Ernest Weissmann’s Architectural and Planning Practices; Continuity of Original Concerns of “New Architecture” and Post-war Reconstruction

Architect Ernest Weissmann (1903-1985) dedicated his career to improving the living conditions of the deprived population - before and immediately after World War II in Europe and the United States and, starting from the 1950s and owing to senior positions he held at the United Nations Department of Social Affairs [UN DESA], also in underdeveloped countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The means by which he tried to achieve it were type projects flexible enough to respond to each individual case, education, teamwork, and self-help approach. The latter was thought to strengthen the local communities, their experts, resources, and production. Relying on the research on Weissmann’s pre-UN DESA career, this paper argues that Weissmann formulated most of his ideas, in particular self-help, and the above-mentioned methods, and put them into practice and an international perspective, before 1951 thanks, to his collaboration with Le Corbusier, the School of Public Health in Zagreb, the International Congress of Modern Architecture [CIAM], New York-based Structural Study Associates [SSA] group, Board of Warfare, and United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration [UNRRA]

Hyper-peripheral regional evolution: The ‘long-histories\u27 of the Pilbara and Buryatia

In this article, we outline how evolutionary economic geography (EEG) explains peripheral economic development by comparing two peripheries over extended time periods. This comparison involves critically appraising EEG’s capacity to account for peripheral evolution. For geographical, historical, and political reasons, peripheries lack resources that lead to path creation and renewal. The hyper-peripheral regions of the Pilbara in north-west Australia and of Buryatia in south-east Russia provide excellent comparative case studies for understanding how peripheral regional development evolves in ways contingent upon time, state institutions, natural resource endowments, and region/firm dynamics. Our analysis shows that EEG is well equipped to deal with historical factors and capitalist economies but it struggles to reconcile these regions’ resilience and ability to sustain both Indigenous and non-Indigenous socio-economies. Development in these regions over extended periods of time invites questions about whether it is appropriate to apply EEG and its constituent parts: path creation, renewal, and exhaustion; regional resilience; and institutional thinness and thickness. In addressing those questions, we show that EEG can incorporate temporal development, stretching over long periods and economic analysis. We also critique the extent to which EEG can be used to consider how state activities influence path creation and renewal, the importance of extra-regional contexts, and heterodox and Indigenous perspectives

Hyper-peripheral regional evolution: The “long histories” of the Pilbara and Buryatia

In this article, we outline how evolutionary economic geography (EEG) explains peripheral economic development by comparing two peripheries over extended time periods. This comparison involves critically appraising EEG’s capacity to account for peripheral evolution. For geographical, historical, and political reasons, peripheries lack resources that lead to path creation and renewal. The hyper-peripheral regions of the Pilbara in north-west Australia and of Buryatia in south-east Russia provide excellent comparative case studies for understanding how peripheral regional development evolves in ways contingent upon time, state institutions, natural resource endowments, and region/firm dynamics. Our analysis shows that EEG is well equipped to deal with historical factors and capitalist economies but it struggles to reconcile these regions’ resilience and ability to sustain both Indigenous and non-Indigenous socio-economies. Development in these regions over extended periods of time invites questions about whether it is appropriate to apply EEG and its constituent parts: path creation, renewal, and exhaustion; regional resilience; and institutional thinness and thickness. In addressing those questions, we show that EEG can incorporate temporal development, stretching over long periods and economic analysis. We also critique the extent to which EEG can be used to consider how state activities influence path creation and renewal, the importance of extra-regional contexts, and heterodox and Indigenous perspectives

An integrative literature review of social entrepreneurship research: mapping the literature and future research directions

This article maps existing research from 5,874 scholarly publications on social entrepreneurship (SE) utilizing scientometrics. The mapping indicates a taxonomy of five clusters: (a) the nature of SE, (b) policy implications and employment in relation to SE, (c) SE in communities and health, (d) SE personality traits, and (e) SE education. We complement the scientometric analysis with a systematic literature review of publications on SE in the Financial Times 50 list (FT50) and Business & Society and propose a multistage, multilevel framework that highlights the clusters of existing research on SE based on their stage and level of analysis. This review study also helps outline a set of future research directions, including studies examining (a) the process stage at the micro-level and macro-level, (b) linkages across levels and stages, (c) linkages across stages over time or longitudinal studies, (d) SE in resource-constrained environments, (e) technological advancement and its impact on SE, (f) the types of social enterprises and their outcomes, and (g) various emerging topics in SE

Customer value creation for the emerging market middle class: perspectives from case studies in India

This paper examines the customer value creation framework and discusses the design of the key elements for product development in emerging markets. A scientometric/bibliometric scoping literature review identifies a clear gap in the current research in studying prerequisites for customer value creation in emerging market contexts. Observing experiences of Daikin and Renault in the context of India, the purpose of this paper is to identify value creation strategic choices following which comprehensive customer value offerings in products and services can be successfully created by firms across the four facets of the framework in emerging markets. Value creation strategies include having a nuanced understanding of the latent contextual needs to offer localized high-quality products that embody distinct functional attributes that provide a functional value and being responsive to specific emotional needs and epistemic experiences of the target customers in product and service offerings to deliver a greater experiential value. Furthermore, the products should adopt a localized operational excellence strategy throughout the value chain to reduce costs for competitive price offerings in order to deliver superior cost value and develop brand image and equity strategy, thereby allowing for the provision of a greater symbolic value. Experiences of successful firms demonstrate the need for extensive local research into the emerging market followed by localization of production and development of a distribution network to be able to offer customized products at competitive prices whilst maintaining the brand value. We thus extend the customer value creation framework by introducing localization as a necessary condition for successful organizational performance in emerging markets

Customer value creation for the emerging market middle class: Perspectives from case studies in India

This paper examines the customer value creation framework and discusses the design of the key elements for product development in emerging markets. A scientometric/bibliometric scoping literature review identifies a clear gap in the current research in studying prerequisites for customer value creation in emerging market contexts. Observing experiences of Daikin and Renault in the context of India, the purpose of this paper is to identify value creation strategic choices following which comprehensive customer value offerings in products and services can be successfully created by firms across the four facets of the framework in emerging markets. Value creation strategies include having a nuanced understanding of the latent contextual needs to offer localized high-quality products that embody distinct functional attributes that provide a functional value and being responsive to specific emotional needs and epistemic experiences of the target customers in product and service offerings to deliver a greater experiential value. Furthermore, the products should adopt a localized operational excellence strategy throughout the value chain to reduce costs for competitive price offerings in order to deliver superior cost value and develop brand image and equity strategy, thereby allowing for the provision of a greater symbolic value. Experiences of successful firms demonstrate the need for extensive local research into the emerging market followed by localization of production and development of a distribution network to be able to offer customized products at competitive prices whilst maintaining the brand value. We thus extend the customer value creation framework by introducing localization as a necessary condition for successful organizational performance in emerging markets